Wild Dogs of Sorts--Gray Wolves in Alaska, including pups
 

For fans of canines in the wild, a pack of gray wolves has moved into Hallo Bay along the Katmai Coast of Alaska and has been seen regularly since last year. I saw at least one wolf on each of my six outings during July in Hallo Bay, with views of pups on half the visits.

Along with the Alaskan Brown Bears, which are always present during the summer, the wolves have brought additional excitement to Hallo Bay.

Here is a link to the photo album.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Violette...wE&feat=email#

Though the 100 photos are not numbered, they are labeled with captions and wolves are seen in:
#22 wolf pup
#30
#38
#49 bears and wolf pups
#50
#55-#64, some with a wolf, mother bear and cub
#92-#99 mostly pups


The full report “Wolf Pups and Other Wonders of Katmai and Kodiak, Alaska,” with 2 additional photo albums is at

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...iak-alaska.cfm

atravelynn - we went to Yellowstone this year for a wolf and bear safari. It was exciting. Of course we didn't see as many as you, but it was so great to see them! Welcome home. Great pics.

Well you did it again. Another A++++++ trip report.
Thank you!
You are making me rethink my Africa plans...!

Lynn, what pictures! Had no idea you could get so close to bears safely. And the 4 wolf cubs! What a great trip. Will get to your report later.

"Safely" is the key LALeslie. No recklessness or daring here and no Timothy Treadwell imitations. At Brooks, I was on raised wooden platforms out of the path of the bears and in Hallo Bay there was a knowledgeable guide with flares. The idea is to never use the flares by maintaining a respectable distance. I don't think he ever has needed them and I have seen him tell exuberant photographers to back off.

Lillipets, you don't have to rethink Africa, just do a round-the-world trip going west, with a stop in Alaska, then Fiji, on to Mongolia, India, some more wolves in Poland or Romania and THEN Africa. What the heck, throw in Spitsbergen too as you'd be in the neighborhood when in Poland. I bet no one has ever done that particular itinerary. You'd be a pioneer.

Christabir, did you do a Yellowstone report? Was the Teton Institute involved? I remember discussing this a while ago, but don't recall if it was with you.

atravelynn
If you figure out the itinerary, and plan the trip I just might go with you!
You seem to have the most amazing adventures.
I'm just across the lake in Mich so we could meet up in Chcgo!

Lynn - yes, that was me. But the logistics of the Alaska trip was difficult for us. So on our way to Oregon for golf, we spent 6 days doing our own safari. We were going to try the YS Institute, but it was all day for 4 days and it would have prevented us from "doing" YS, so we decided to go it alone. We did get lucky! Next on the list is the Maned Wolf in Brazil.

My trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...n-may-2010.cfm

My pictures (I haven't done a very good job, I'll fix it soon but you'll get the gist) and a video

http://yellowstonetetons2010.shutterfly.com/

Let me know if the site doesn't work.

Thanks for the link to your report :)

Lillipets,
I'd love to travel with you and I believe I could whip together an itinerary as mentioned above. I could even get myself across the lake to pick you up at your front door. The only obstacle would be the expense of such an extravagant odyssey. But something scaled way down may work someday. How do chimps in Mahale sound?

Christabir,
Found your report. Very exciting and nicely coordinated with your photos/video. You caught that coyote middair! Those buffalo aren't dumb; pavement is easier than slogging through the spring mud. That wolf was very dark. Funny how they are all Gray Wolves. Thanks for all the links. The maned wolves are waiting for you. Take your balaclava and mittens.

Most welcome, Femi!

My compliments are posted on the US forum, Lynn. Quick question, though - did you use a TA to plan the Alaska trip or did you do all the bookings yourself? If so, was it a relatively easy trip to organize? And would you rate it as being $, $$ or $$$?
Hope you have a wonderful time in Kenya. I think I'm simply going to replicate your trips instead of spending hours planning them myself :)

Here is how the booking went.
Brooks, I booked direct through email.
Katmai Coastal, I booked direct with John Rogers by phone. In Kodiak I went to Mary Stephenson of Hop on Hop Off Shuttles to seek direction and worked with her through email and phone. She put me in contact with A Downtown B&B, Galley Gourmet, Alaskan Wilderness Adventures, and the hiking folks. Once I had those names, then I arranged everything with each directly using email. It was quite easy.

I did my own flight to/from Alaska but all the charters were done by the place I was flying to. Brooks does all the air to get you to and from Anchorage. Katmai Coastal does the charter from Kodiak to the boat and back with Andrews Air.

Brooks was about $1268 for 3 nts, all charters to/from Anchorage, no food included. Katmai Coastal for 3 nts includes outstanding meals and all charters to/from Kodiak and was about 3x the cost of Brooks. Kodiak was a bargain with each activity ranging from $60-$300. Fish Tech is free. A Downtown B&B was less than the Best Western in town.

Thanks a ton for the details. Now I need only to execute :)